ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren OBE, the United Kingdom’s Defence Senior Adviser to the Middle East and North Africa, recently completed a series of high-level meetings in Kuwait focused on reinforcing the longstanding defence and security partnership between the two countries. During the visit, Ahlgren held discussions with Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Kuwait Coast Guard Director General Commodore Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah.
He also met senior figures from the Kuwait Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, including Chief of Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces Khaled Saad Al-Shuriaan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishaal Mubarak Al-Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Dr Wael Nasser Al-Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Anoud Al-Turiman, and Chief of the Armament and Procurement Authority Sheikh Khalifa Al-Sabah.
Talks centred on the evolving regional security situation, opportunities to enhance military capabilities, and practical ways to deepen the government-to-government defence relationship. The visit forms part of Ahlgren’s sustained engagement with Kuwait throughout 2026. He travelled to the country in March with UK counter-drone specialists to examine regional security challenges and British support options, and returned for further discussions in May. This latest trip marks his third visit to Kuwait this year and his sixth over the past two years, underscoring the priority both nations place on regular senior-level dialogue.
British Ambassador to Kuwait Qudsi Rasheed highlighted the depth of the bilateral relationship. “Our defence relationship remains a cornerstone of that partnership, and the engagement we have seen throughout 2026 demonstrates its strength and breadth,” he said, noting that the two countries share a partnership built on friendship, trust and a common commitment to security and stability. The visit, he added, reflects the UK’s ongoing determination to work closely with Kuwait on shared challenges.
UK Defence Attaché to Kuwait Captain Neil Marriott pointed to a particularly active year of cooperation. Joint military training under Exercise Desert Warrior, together with close collaboration on emerging security threats and capability development, has strengthened ties between the two armed forces. “These activities are underpinned by strong relationships between our Armed Forces, and we look forward to building on this momentum through further training, exchanges and practical cooperation,” Marriott said.
Ahlgren described the discussions as a privilege and said they had reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral defence relationship and the shared commitment to regional security and stability. “As the security environment continues to evolve, the UK remains committed to standing alongside Kuwait, sharing expertise, enhancing capabilities and identifying new opportunities to deepen our government-to-government defence partnership,” he stated. The meetings provided a clear platform to reaffirm mutual resolve and explore fresh avenues for practical cooperation in an increasingly complex regional security landscape.
